National Zookeeper Week July 24, 2016
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: Central Park Zoo, National Zookeeper Week, photography
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The third week in July is National Zookeeper Week. I appreciate these terrific people all year long and dedicate this week’s photo montage to the 18 people who make everything great at my zoo, the Central Park Zoo. I thank you, one and all, for all you do – the unsung heroes – each and every day. While National Zookeeper Week just ended, there would be nothing wrong with telling a zookeeper any day of the year how much they are appreciated.
Meet Jack! July 17, 2016
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: adoption, Best Friends Animal Society, Jack the dog, photography
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Meet Jack! He is the newest member of the gang at Casa Lobo. Jack came home with me last Saturday from the Best Friends Animal Society adoption event near my apartment. Was I planning to adopt a dog last Saturday? Absolutely not. I’d been thinking it was time to get another dog after losing my adored Benny last October but had not prepared at all. I walked into the adoption event at 11AM and walked out with Jack about an hour later. Jack was found on the streets of Brooklyn about a month ago. He is a senior (but so am I). He has a few health problems (but who doesn’t)? We are guessing he is about eight years old and perhaps a Jack Russell/Fox Terrier mix. He is friendly to everyone, laid back, quiet, and best of all – he seems to like my three cats. Do the cats like Jack? They get closer to him everyday and thus far there has been no fur flying at all. So this doggie tale ends well. I needed a dog and Jack needed a home. I look forward to many fun adventures with Jack. Stay tuned.
Bronx Zoo – Summer 2016 July 10, 2016
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: baby animals, Bronx Zoo, National BIson Legacy Act, photography, wildlife, zoo babies
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We had a terrific visit to the Bronx Zoo last week. I hadn’t been since last August and figured we were due for a visit. We planned a weekday jaunt before the holiday weekend and enjoyed the zoo almost to ourselves. It is nice to watch adorable baby gorillas, a baby otter, baby Titi monkeys, baby lemurs, and two sea lion pups without the sounds of screaming children (nothing against kids – but sometimes they are very loud). Take a day (wear good walking shoes) and visit this wonderful collection of animals. Note: While the bald eagle remains the national bird, but it is no longer the United States’ only wildlife symbol. On May 9, President Obama signed the National Bison Legacy Act, officially making the bison the national mammal. The Bronx Zoo has a beautiful herd of these symbolic animals as does the Queens Zoo.
Smithsonian’s National Zoo July 3, 2016
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: Bao Bao, Bei Bei, GIant Pandas, photography, Smithsonian's National Zoo, travel, Washington DC, zoo babies, zoocation
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Washington is a great place to visit and no visit is complete without dropping by the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. The grounds open at 8AM and getting there early is a good idea. We were able to spend quality time admiring their four giant pandas – Tian Tian (male, age 19), Mei Xiang (female, age 18), Bao Bao (female, almost 3) and little Bei Bei (male, almost one year old). We learned their orangutan is pregnant and due in the fall and we missed the birth of their first sea lion pup in 32 years by only one day (darn it). It was a fun visit and a hearty shout out to Keeper Ashton for spending a generous amount of time with us. We will be back.
Staten Island Zoo’s 80th Anniversary June 26, 2016
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: Marc Valitutto, photography, Staten Island Zoo, zoo babies, zoocation
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It was a bittersweet visit to the Staten Island Zoo as we said farewell to our dear friend, General Curator and Veterinarian, Marc Valitutto last week. Marc has done amazing things in his four and a half year tenure at the zoo. The collection has grown in both numbers and depth as has the zoo’s attendance. I have visited Marc eight times in these past years in all kinds of weather and have always had a wonderful up-close and personal visit. I have had the joy of introducing Marc and his collection to many friends who now also call him their friend. I wish him well in his new venture and will miss him and our visits terribly.
If any of you want to relive some of those fun visits you can click away on any of the following links. Fall at the Staten Island Zoo, March at the Staten Island Zoo, Part Two, Staten Island Zoo, May 2014, Staten Island Zoo in Summer, September at the Staten Island Zoo, Winter at the Staten Island Zoo, Summer 2015 at the Staten Island Zoo, Meet AJ the baby Tamandua, Part Two.
Happy Father’s Day – 2016 June 19, 2016
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: Happy Father's Day, photography, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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While most caregivers in the animal kingdom are mothers, there are some father’s who join in the role as caregiver. I salute all of those father’s out there in today’s photo montage. Not uncoincidentally – it is also National Martini Day. 
The Tracy Aviary June 12, 2016
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: Andean Condor, photography, Salt Lake City, Tracy Aviary, wildlife, zoocation
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The final visit on our Colorado/Utah Zoocation 2016 was to the terrific Tracy Aviary in Salt Lake City. It is an eight acre facility located in beautiful Liberty Park. We had an exceptional visit and a unique walk with their Andean Condor, named Andy N Condor. We also thoroughly enjoyed their delightful bird show, got to meet some wonderful keepers and amazing birds. A huge shout out to Executive Director Tim Brown for arranging everything and to Lead Keeper Fred Kromm and Curator of Bird Programs, Helen Dishaw for making this a very memorable experience. If you are in Salt Lake City this place is a must.
Hogle Zoo June 5, 2016
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: Hogle Zoo, lion cubs, photography, Salt Lake City, Titi monkey baby, travel, zoo babies, zoocation
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The penultimate zoo on our Colorado/Utah Zoocation 2016 was the beautiful 42 acre Hogle Zoo located in Salt Lake City. A special highlight was being able to see their three adorable lion cubs born on February 27, 2016. A shout out to Director Craig Dinsmore, Asst. Director Christina Castellano and Creative Services Director Jay Weston for our pre-opening tour. A delightful zoo in an amazing setting.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo May 29, 2016
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado Springs, photography, travel, wildlife, zoo babies
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Zoo #3 on our Colorado and Utah 2016 Zoocation was amazing. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is literally built on the side of a mountain at 6800 ft. A special shout out to Director Bob Chastain and Patty Mussone, Bob’s Executive Assistant for making this visit so very memorable. We were treated like royalty and got to spend much of the visit driven in a golf cart which truly helped my bum knee. Cherished memories include up-close visits with their grizzly bears, an elephant feed, a vulture feed, hanging out with their 15 giraffes, their red river hog family, lions, hippos, penguins and so much more. Amazing!
Pueblo Zoo May 22, 2016
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: baby animals, Colorado, Mumford the lion cub, photography, Pueblo Zoo, Takin baby, travel, zoo babies, zoocation
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Zoo #2 on Zoocation 2016 was the delightful Pueblo Zoo. One of our visits’ highlights was the adorable lion cub, Mumford, born on January 13 2016 and the sweet Takin baby. The zoo’s winding paths had a surprise around every corner and Lemur Island was especially charming. A special shout out to Executive Director Abbie Krause for her welcoming greetings and zoo tips.
While at the Zoo 